MiraCosta College Class Addresses Bullying

Parents can learn how to effectively address issues involving bullying through a one-day noncredit MiraCosta College class at its Oceanside Campus on March 23.

How to Effectively Deal with Bullying will include a panel discussion with two teenagers, a teacher, and parents affected by bullying. Topics will include how bullying happens, its impacts, and ways for parents and schools to address the issue without putting the victim at risk.

“We are hoping that the people realize how serious this issue is and how it could harm the victim and others if it is not stopped right away,” said course instructor Roya Kravetz, who will be teaching the class along with Dr. Leslie Clarke. “We will also be giving parents and teachers the tools to realize when their child or student is being bullied and how to control it. We will also give tools to the students about how they should handle a bully.”

A recent study by the nonprofit Families and Work Institute found that 1 in 3 youths are bullied at least once a month, while 6 out of 10 teenagers say they witness an act of bullying at least once a day. The National Crime Prevention Council, meanwhile, states that bullying can be a gateway behavior, “teaching the perpetrator that threats and aggression are acceptable even in adulthood.” One study found that nearly 60 percent of boys whom researchers classified as bullies in grades six to nine were convicted of at least one crime by the age of 24, while 40 percent had three or more convictions.

“I am hoping for more and more people to acquire awareness around this huge issue and learn how to handle it effectively,” Kravetz said. “Many teens don’t let their parents or teachers know when they are being bullied.”

 

The fee for the class is $50 per person, or $90 per couple. It will be held on Saturday, March 23, in Room 3516 at the Oceanside Campus, located at 1 Barnard Drive from 1 to 3 p.m.

Further information can be obtained by contacting Kravetz at 858.692.8070 or 858.334.8584. Register for the class through MiraCosta College’s Community Services Office at 760.795.6820.